Five-year-old Avery Bond was front and centre as an honorary Rockwood cheerleader on April 26 for the fifth and final Avery’s Bravery Race.
Avery’s mom Christine Bond thanked those attending this year’s event.
“This is our fifth year, and as some of you have heard, this is our final year.” Christine commented that people keep asking, “Why?”
Even though she agreed the event was building momentum, “We have other ideas we want to focus on next year – this is absolutely not our last year of fundraising; but this will be the last year of the race.”
She added community support over the years has been phenomenal, “But we’d like to end this on a high note.”
Later that night, the family was hosting a dance.
Christine added, “This event would not even be possible without all of our sponsors and this year there are so many to list.”
She also thanked the community for its great support.
“You put something out there and two minutes later it seems thousands of people are ready to offer their support – whether it be delivering flyers or stuffing race kits,” said Christine.
In addition, over $500 was raised through soup sales.
Another big supporter was Rockwood Centennial Public School.
“Who knew, but our tiny little school came up with $750,” Christine said.
Numerous groups and organizations were on hand offering support at the event.
The cheerleaders from Rockwood Centennial school brought in Avery as an honourary cheerleader. She was born in 2009 and had life saving heart surgery at 13 days of age to repair a coarctation of the aorta (narrowing of the main aortic valve).
Avery’s Bravery Race, which annually benefits Sick Kids hospital in Toronto.
In an email recieved after press deadline, Christine Bond noted "We are looking at hitting the $10,000 mark again this year – making a five year total of $40,000."
